‘We pushed snow Friday on Caryville and Walnut Mountains’- Campbell Road Super Ron Dilbeck

TOP PHOTO: Saturday’s sun shined on Campbell County Highway Department equipment that will likely be in action come Sunday.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- “Our employees are resting up today, because they may be needed late tonight or early Sunday morning,” said Ron Dilbeck, Campbell County Road Superintendent. Dilbeck and his team of 26 employees prepare for the winter season before Thanksgiving, and are ready to go when called upon.

“Ice is a different animal from snow, and, at this point, it’s just a waiting game to see how all of this develops,” said Dilbeck. Overnight, Dilbeck will monitor the weather and then start his work day by 6am Sunday when he arrives at the shop.

Campbell County has roads above 3,000 feet in elevation as part of its hundreds of miles of roads. The problems with snow and ice generally begin at those highest elevations before we start seeing it here in the valley Dilbeck says.

By the numbers, there are 700-plus miles of roadway, 26 employees, 11 pick-up trucks with snow plows and salt spreaders, eight dump trucks and a Caterpillar Motor Grader. “We’ll have three crew members at the rock quarry along with two or three crews just to take care of downed trees, and then the rest of us will be behind the wheel of a snow plow,” said Dilbeck. The motor grader is staged at Cedar Creek at the Owens grocery store, according to Dilbeck.

The pick-up trucks work the secondary roads while the dump trucks are used on the main roads.

The county highway department works closely with Campbell County EMS and LUB. “We’ll get out ahead of an ambulance to push snow and ice and lay down salt or gravel,” said Dilbeck.

“Like always, we’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best,” said Dilbeck. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/04/2024-5PM)

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